Penina Hitti is a PhD candidate and recipient of the Pūatahi Manawa Pacific Fellowship. She holds a Master of Public Health with First Class Honours from Massey University, with additional qualifications in Information Systems and in Primary and Secondary Education from Victoria University of Wellington. Her research focuses on Pacific childhood experiences and their influence on metabolic and mental health, using mixed-methods approaches that integrate epidemiology with culturally grounded frameworks. She has a particular interest in co-design methodologies, holistic health intervention development, and the role of spiritual health within public health research. Of Samoan and European heritage, Penina is committed to advancing Pacific-led research that strengthens community wellbeing across Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.